Up in the rarefied air of the Premier League, they describe it as ‘spinning plates’.

The hard yards were covered months ago, on long, dark and chilly nights across grounds in Europe and the outer reaches of these Isles. Checks were carried out, data inputted into scouting computers and conversations that stretched long into the night across various hotel rooms, private clubs and even Mike Ashley’s back garden reached a satisfactory conclusion.

It is not that that is the easy part – but is the bit before spanners start getting chucked in the spokes of this well-oiled machine. Before agents with false mandates and players biding for time come into the equation. That is where Newcastle United stand right now.

About ten weeks ago, in the lobby of a hotel in Germany, a Newcastle delegation sat down with the mother of Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga and the player himself. He spoke well and at length about his ambitions: about how he had not given up hope of sneaking into the German squad for the World Cup and that he felt a move to England might be the perfect springboard for his career.

About six months later – and with his mother Kristen having pinged back and forth between Newcastle, Hamburg and Hertha Berlin – there was a breakthrough. Newcastle had the player through the door but he wanted more time. It was a stalling tactic. He went elsewhere.

The need for five players to join Newcastle’s squad this summer would have been less acute if Derek Llambias and Alan Pardew hadn’t made the fatal mistake of meeting Loic Remy in London 18 months ago. Quite why the plane landed in the capital rather than the club chartering something to the North East remains a mystery, but it allowed agents and a rabid QPR to sneak in front of Newcastle. There is a fine line between pandering to a player to get him through the door and running the risk of losing him.

Newcastle’s targets now are Remy Cabella, Alexandre Lacazette and a sprinkling of right-back targets, all of whom would be worthy successors to United’s outgoing right-back Mathieu Debuchy. They are still thinking about Luuk de Jong, although that one is speeding along with PSV Eindhoven now interested. It’s complicated; but then it’s always complicated.

The fact that United are straddling two countries and working with countless agents on these deals means that things are tough. You can’t always trust what you are told.

Many will point to the swift movement on Siem de Jong and the hope is that once an offer has been accepted for Cabella, it would be quick, concise and clinical. But that deal was four or five years in the making. United had been in regular contact with Louis Laros, his agent.

Newcastle have jetted to France today hoping for progress on Cabella but aware that Montpellier remain reticent to do a deal, even if their stance has softened significantly in recent weeks. United have been told twice by the player’s agent that he wants to come but personalities, egos and even face saving operations come into it.

United need to make:

English transfers are easier. Newcastle could pin down Jack Colback early in the summer. They knew who they were operating with – his British-based agent was clear with them from an early part of the summer – and there were no intermediaries.

But United’s belief that this market offers little value has been reinforced. Domestic possibilities have been mentioned – Andros Townsend was one, Jonjo Shelvey another and Danny Ings and even Kieran Trippier were thrown into the melting pot at various points – but valuations have been ridiculous. Shelvey was put to them for £10million.

It is understood that Newcastle would like to get three done before New Zealand. Spaces have been set aside on the plane.

If they don’t it could get frantic when the first week of August arrives. When one plate drops, another might speed up. Previous targets might yet be offered to them, as happened last summer when Florian Thauvin suddenly became available.

Newcastle have told agents, clubs and even a couple of players that they aren’t looking at anyone over the age of 28 but still, names of veterans are put to them. Don’t expect them to arrive and don’t expect Shola Ameobi – despite not having been fixed up with anything – to come back.

It’s a battle of wits and wills now. United have won one – de Jong – and lost one – Lasogga. Looking at the state of the squad, they have to win more than they lose this summer.